Before the palace servants could respond, Li Yuanji had already lifted his head, saying: “No need.” Though his complexion was rather pale, his eyes looked reasonably clear, without much sign of intoxication, completely different from before.

Li Jiancheng was startled, then immediately understood, laughing ruefully: “You rascal, you were actually pretending to be drunk.”

Li Yuanji casually wiped his face, saying: “I’m known for being able to drink a thousand cups without getting drunk. How could I get drunk so easily? I was just too lazy to listen to someone’s insincere words.”

Li Jiancheng smiled and said: “How do you know he was being insincere?”

Li Yuanji said disdainfully: “Anyone could figure that out with a little thought.” Then he continued: “But I really didn’t expect him to give you the Zhanlu Sword, eldest brother. How generous of him.”

Li Jiancheng drank his sobering tea, slightly narrowing his eyes as he said: “The sword is indeed a good sword, but unfortunately, the grievances between him and me cannot be resolved by a mere Zhanlu Sword, even if we gathered ten famous swords together.”

“Isn’t that right?” Saying this, Li Yuanji continued: “Speaking of which, eldest brother, have you thought of any way to deal with him?”

Li Jiancheng shook his head: “Not yet. Moreover, since Father Emperor has just ascended the throne, it’s not appropriate to create too many disturbances. We’ll talk about it after a while.”

“In this matter, eldest brother, you make the decisions. If there’s anything you need me to do, just speak up.” Saying this, Li Yuanji stood up, wearing a somewhat ambiguous smile: “I’ll head back first. Eldest brother, you should properly enjoy the congratulatory gift I sent you.”

Li Jiancheng laughed and scolded: “You rascal, always so improper. Quite a few people in court are dissatisfied with you.”

Li Yuanji said indifferently: “These people just like to make trouble out of nothing. Let them talk—I’m too lazy to care. Besides, if anything really happens, don’t I still have eldest brother to protect me?”

Li Jiancheng said helplessly: “You really are impossible to deal with. Go back quickly.”

After Li Yuanji left, Li Jiancheng went to Changchun Pavilion where Jirong resided. Although those two Huji were young and beautiful, with exotic charm, the one who most captured his heart was still Jirong.

At this moment, Ding Yang was standing respectfully before Jirong, carefully recounting his interactions with Xiuzhu over the past month.

After he finished speaking, Jirong’s eyes flowed as she looked Ding Yang up and down, saying: “So you’re saying Xiuzhu believes you’re infatuated with her?”

Ding Yang said somewhat awkwardly: “Yes, this servant knows he shouldn’t have done this, but aside from this method, this servant truly didn’t know how else to gain Xiuzhu’s trust. Please forgive this servant’s offense, Your Ladyship.”

The current Jirong was no longer the Lady Ji of the past, but the Crown Prince’s consort, and her position was even above that of the other Consort Xu who came from a distinguished family. The latter, though indignant, was helpless—who could blame Li Jiancheng for favoring Jirong?

Jirong smiled slightly, saying: “You’ve done so well, how could I bear to punish you?” After a pause, she continued: “What about the relationship between Xiuzhu and the Prince of Qin’s consort?”

“Even worse than before, but Xiuzhu has followed this servant’s advice and outwardly complies with the Prince of Qin’s consort, so for the time being, there’s peace between them.”

“Very good.” Jirong stroked the peony flowers arranged in a vase, saying slowly: “So you’re saying that now, whatever you say, Xiuzhu will listen, is that right?”

Ding Yang said cautiously: “This servant doesn’t dare claim complete certainty, but seven or eight out of ten times, yes.”

“Seven or eight out of ten is enough.” Jirong smiled charmingly, more beautiful than the peony flowers beside her, then said: “Counting it up, the child in the Prince of Qin’s consort’s womb has been there for over six months now, hasn’t it?”

“Yes, according to Xiuzhu, around the end of September, it should be time for delivery. The Prince of Qin’s consort has been resting in bed to ensure the child’s safety, and every few days, Imperial Physician Li goes to check her pulse.” As he spoke, his lips moved again, but ultimately no sound emerged.

Jirong noticed this, saying with a half-smile: “Are you wondering why I’m asking about these things, and why I had you approach Xiuzhu?”

Ding Yang quickly bowed, saying: “Your Ladyship must have your reasons for arranging all this. This servant need only follow Your Ladyship’s instructions.”

Jirong smiled: “You have improved somewhat, but… I also intend to tell you now.”

Hearing this, Ding Yang’s spirits lifted, and he immediately perked up his ears to listen to Jirong’s next words. However, after hearing everything, his whole body shook like chaff, unable to speak for a long time. Even Li Yu beside him showed a grave expression.

Jirong stared at him: “What, are you afraid?”

Ding Yang swallowed with difficulty, saying: “This servant is not afraid, it’s just… I don’t understand why Your Ladyship… why you would do this.”

Li Yu leaned close to Jirong’s ear and whispered: “Your Ladyship, the Prince of Qin’s consort has no grievances with us. Doing this—might it be going too far?”

Jirong glanced at her sideways, saying coolly: “What, are you afraid too?”

“This servant doesn’t mean that, it’s just that it seems too risky. If… if things get out of hand, I’m afraid it might implicate Your Ladyship.”

Jirong flicked her fingernails painted with pink nail polish, her gaze sweeping over the distracted Ding Yang: “Whether it will implicate me depends on Ding Yang.”

Ding Yang suddenly heard his name and jumped up. After coming to his senses, he said fearfully: “Your Ladyship, please don’t tease this servant. This servant doesn’t have such great ability. If I ruin Your Ladyship’s important matter, this servant’s death wouldn’t be enough to atone for the sin.”

Jirong gathered her sleeves and stood up, slowly walking to stand before him, saying quietly: “Since you know you can’t bear the consequences of failure, then properly handle this matter for me.”

“Your Ladyship…” Ding Yang had only said two words when Jirong’s face darkened: “What, do you need me to say it a second time?”

Hearing this, Ding Yang understood that this time he couldn’t escape. Sigh, if only he hadn’t agreed in the first place. But… given Lady Ji’s temperament, she probably wouldn’t have allowed him to refuse anyway.

“This servant obeys!” Ding Yang’s compliance made Jirong’s expression change from cloudy to clear. She patted his shoulder with her fan, saying: “As long as you handle this matter properly for me, I certainly won’t treat you unfairly.”

At this moment, Li Jiancheng pushed the door open and entered. Jirong hurriedly stepped forward to pay her respects: “Greetings to Your Highness the Crown Prince.”

“Rise.” Li Jiancheng personally helped her up. The latter, smelling the heavy alcohol on him, asked puzzledly: “Wasn’t Your Highness drinking with the Prince of Qin and Prince of Qi? How did you come to this servant’s quarters?”

“Shimin and the others have all returned. Since I had nothing else to do, I came to see you. Have you eaten?”

“Not yet.” Saying this, Jirong smiled: “Your Highness was probably focused on drinking and didn’t eat much. Why don’t you join this servant for a meal?”

“That’s exactly what I had in mind.” With Li Jiancheng’s agreement, Jirong said to Ding Yang, who was still standing in the room: “Tell the kitchen to quickly prepare a few dishes that His Highness the Crown Prince likes.”

Li Jiancheng looked at Ding Yang’s retreating figure and said: “Did you scold him just now? Why does he have such a bitter expression?”

Jirong helped him sit down, pursing her lips: “He’s been getting quite close to Xiuzhu, who serves the Prince of Qin’s consort. This servant is counting on him to handle matters, so how would I dare scold him?”